Europe (2017): Copenhagen, Denmark - Where I Started & Ended My Europe Trip

A reader actually email me and she would like to know which country I arrive first and then, return from which country for my solo trip to Europe last year. Well, here's the post specially dedicated for her. 

Copenhagen, the capital and most populous city of Denmark is my first pit stop after long hours journey with Emirates. From there, I travelled to Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Helsinki and ended my trip back to Copenhagen once again. (Can you guess how many countries I managed to cover for this round? If correct, there would be token given.)

TAKING BUS FROM HELSINKI CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION TO AIRPORT

Now back to my previous post. Probably Helsinki is not my kind of thing, hence I think spending 2 days there is relatively adequate to cover several famous attractions and landmarks. So on the third day in Helsinki, once again I check-out earlier from Hostel Diana Park to get to Helsinki Central Railway Station cause my flight to Copenhagen is 7.25am. By the time I left the hostel, the day was still dark and walking alone was kinda creepy and scary but I try to remain calm and continuously walking until I reach the station. Surprisingly the railway station is closed and there is no way anyone can enter through it. Luckily I did my research a night before in case I couldn't make it to the train, so what's my next option - which is to take the HSL bus #615 right next to the railway station. From city to the airport, the first bus departure is at 5.10am and the journey takes 35-40 minutes, depending on the traffic. One trip cost €5.50.

Flew with Norwegian from Helsinki to Copenhagen for RM274 including 20kg baggage allowance. 

HOW TO GET TO COPENHAGEN CENTRAL STATION FROM AIRPORT

Both of my flights from Kuala Lumpur and Helsinki landed in Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport. Therefore by the time I arrived from Helsinki, I already quite familiar with the airport. To get to the city center, purchase the train ticket from one of the automated vending machine situated inside the atrium of Terminal 3 directly over the railway platforms. It's easily spot with red sigboard stating "DSB" Tickets for Train, Metro & Bus. From there, buy a ticket for three zones which costs 36 Kr for a single journey. Bear in mind that Denmark is not using Euro and it has its own currency - Danish krone. I changed my Euro in this particular airport but only to find out that Central Station offers a better rate. 

Travel from Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport to Central Station via train

HOSTELS I STAYED IN COPENHAGEN

I stayed in two different hostels. The first day I arrived Copenhagen, I stayed in Copenhangen Backpackers Hostel which located just outside the central station. Although it pricey but looking at its strategic and convenient location, well nothing I should complain about. As for my last day, I booked Danhostel Copenhagen City. A 10 minutes walk from the train station and a 3 minutes walk to the bus line, Danhostel is totally unlike the previous hostels I stayed before. From the lobby itself, I felt like it's a hotel to me instead. If you ask me to choose between these two, it's really hard cause my heart still belongs to Dream Hostel in Warsaw. Hard to move on. 😜

Copenhangen Backpackers Hostel

Date Stayed: 9 September 2017 (1 nights)

Room Rate: RM279 (359 Kr) for a bed in 8-bed mixed dormitory room (Booked via Agoda)

Danhostel Copenhagen City

Date Stayed: 23 September 2017 (1 nights)

Room Rate: RM204 for a bunk bed in mixed dormitory room (Booked via Agoda)

COPENHAGEN'S BEST OF INTERESTS AND SIGHTSEEING

Tivoli Gardens

Once I stepped out from the railway central station, all I can see is Tivoli here and there. Tivoli is an amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen. It is known to be the second oldest operating amusement park in the world. Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood of having thrill and fun, I skip this one. 

Nyhavn 

Seriously until now I really don't how to pronounce this word. But then who cares anyway cause this is the place that everyone know. It's must see and visit in case you are visiting Copenhagen. It is lined by brightly and vibrant coloured 17th and 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. Here, you can even enjoy an hour canal tour which cost 40 Kr. 

How To Get To Nyhavn:

From the bus stop next to Copenhagen Central Station, take bus #66 towards Sankt Annae Plads, Skuespilhuset. Hop off in Nyhavnsbroen (Holbergsgade) stop. A two zone ticket, which covers all of Copenhagen (except for the airport) costs 24 Kr and it lasts for one hour from the purchase. The tickets can be bought directly from the bus drivers. Remember to prepare the exact amount. 

9:38 A

The Little Mermaid

Another iconic thing and must-see sight of Copenhagen. Displayed on a rock by the waterside, this bronze statue of the Little Mermaid is among the famous mermaid statue of them all which created by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. It's so popular until it's so hard for me to take photo with it. You can't even imagine how many people purposely came all over the world just to see this Danish's most famous statue. If you're lucky enough, you can even get closer during the winter time. 

Another latest version of The Little Mermaid statue - less crowded and more sexier.

How To Get To The Little Mermaid:

There is no public transportation that will stop directly in front of the Little Mermaid. The closest Copenhagen public bus stop is Indiakaj - by bus #26 with Faergeterminal Sondre Frihavn as the last destination. From here, it requires short walk past the yacht habour to the statue. Toward the city center, this option is less ideal as bus #26 doesn't go back directly. So, you need to walk to Osterport station, or take bus A1 from the south side of the fort.

Amalienborg Square & Frederick's Church 

Not far away from Nyhann, it's Amalienborg Palace - the home of the Danish royal family. Well, actually the royal palace is not one, but four different palaces flanking a square. These four palaces were built by four noble families in the middle of the 18th century on direct orders by the King Frederik V. 

Behind Amalienborg Palace, the Frederik's Church is easily spot from there. It is popularly known as The Mable Church for its rococo architecture and it is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen. 

Located in the center of Amalienborg Square, there is statue represents Frederik V in classir attire, crowned with laurels and with his hand outstretched, holding a baton. 

City Hall & Statue of Hans Christian Andersen

I took the bus back from Nyhann back to the city center. I stopped somewhere near the city hall and from there, I wandered around looking at all the fascinating and interesting buildings. 

Copenhagen City Hall


Scandic Palace Hotel


Statue of Hans Christian Andersen. 

Remember the one who created the fairy-tale stories of the Little Mermaid, The Ugly Ducking, The Emperor's New Clothes and etc, this is the Danish author who behind all these. 

Christianborg Palace 

It is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in Central Copenhagen. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Christianborg Palace has a more than 800 year-long history as the state's centre of power.

Here are few buildings and places which I found so pretty and beautiful. So no harm for me to share. Sharing is caring, right?


7-Eleven is very common to find in Copenhagen.


Fall in Copenhagen and it's my favourite season.


Hop On Hop Off Bus


Church of Our Saviour


The most important building - Copenhagen Central Station

HOW MUCH I SPENT IN COPENHAGEN
As usual, here are the breakdown of the total damages: 

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	KR	RM
Airfare Norwegian from Helsinki to Copenhagen Transportation Airport trains – 4 trips Buses – 3 trips Canal cruise Accommodation Copenhagen   Backpacker Hostel – 1 night Danhostel Copenhagen City – 1 night Food & Beverages First day in Copenhagen Last day in Copenhagen Others Souvenirs – magnets, postcards, stamps Luggage storage	- 156 72 40 359 - 72 99 256 20	274 116 53 30 279 204 53 73 189 15
	TOTAL:	1,286

Exchange rate: €100 = RM512 and €100 = 690 Kr on average

My verdict on Copenhagen? Actually I quite enjoy it and I really like this city to be honest. The only downside of the city is the expensive living expenses. Imagine that a sandwich which I bought from the convenience store cost me RM30 and from the above table too, you can see how expensive it's the accommodation eventhough it's just merely a hostel. 

One fun fact about Denmark is often praised for being one of the greenest countries in the world. One of the tangible implications for the travellers is where you will being charged a deposit of 1-3 Kr for buying cans and water bottles. I was so surprised and I thought I was being charged for something I didn't buy in the supermarkets, only to find out that its for the water bottles I bought. 

Well, looks like my solo trip to Europe travelogues almost coming to an end but actually, I haven't completely blog everything yet. Stay tune for two or three upcoming blogposts especially on my travel haul. 
                       
Previous Posts on my 2017 Solo Trip to Europe

• Solo Trip to Europe (Sneak Peek)
• 3D2N in Budapest, Hungary
• Great Market Hall of Budapest, Hungary
• Vienna. Austria Travelogue
• Salzburg, Austria Travelogue
• The Magical Town of Hallstatt, Austria
• Brief Stop in Cesky Krumlov
• Hello Prague Again
• Overnight Train from Prague to Krakow
• 3D2N in Krakow, Poland
• From Krakow to Warsaw & It's Hell Day For Me
• Warsaw's Attractions & Sightseeing 
• Dream Hostel of Warsaw - The Best Hostel I Stayed in Europe
• From Warsaw to Helsinki, The Capital City of Finland

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